Home Improvement

Explore tips & tricks to improve and transform the specific aspects of your home for the better – from home exteriors, furniture, walls, and ceilings to garage, flooring, and outdoors.

Home Improvement

Exterior Home Siding
| Updated July 13, 2022 | Published August 31, 2020

Siding gives is what gives your house exterior its definitive shape and feel, and also affects some properties of the interior. There are many options for exterior siding, each having its upsides and downsides (pun intended). All the choices and sometimes drastic differences between the materials can be confusing and overwhelming for someone who is new to the topic.

Living Room with Sectional Sofas
| Updated February 3, 2024 | Published August 31, 2020

Whether you want a casual or formal layout for your living room, multi-functional sectionals help maximize seating, especially in large spaces. Sectional sofas have evolved over the years and today’s designs are much more sophisticated. But contrary to popular belief, sectional sofas aren’t just fit for large living rooms. These versatile seating options are also perfect for small spaces as they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And aside from the size and shape of sectionals, there are the texture and fabric finishes that you’ll also want to think about. 

Plywood
| Updated February 5, 2024 | Published August 31, 2020

Plywood is a type of engineered wood that is made from gluing several layers of wood together. It can be made from various types of wood, and each layer can vary in depth. Plywood is a strong and durable type of wood, and much of this strength comes from the way that each layer of wood is assembled. The grain of each layer will be laid at a different angle so that the grains are running against each other, and this is known as cross-graining.

Drywall Mud
| Updated October 26, 2020 | Published August 30, 2020

Are you looking for a suitable mud to complete your drywall? Using the right compound is absolutely crucial in order to avoid spending many hours sanding your wall, or ending up with an unprofessional DIY job. In this guide, I will explain how to choose the right drywall mud for your project as well as the most common types of premixed and dry compounds you can use for your project. 

Coffee Table Alternatives
| Updated December 17, 2023 | Published August 16, 2020

A coffee table is one of the most common furniture items in a living room. It is, after all, somewhere you can put your cup or magazine on. But why should you settle for a standard square or round table in front of your sofa when there are plenty other multi-functional coffee table alternatives

Hip roofs
| Updated July 13, 2022 | Published August 16, 2020

Replacing your roof is one of the biggest home improvement projects you’re ever likely to do, so you’ll want to ensure you get it right. When deciding on the wood framing of the new roof, a hip roof style is the most popular choice because of its modern and highly durable design.

Popcorn Ceilings
| Updated December 18, 2023 | Published August 16, 2020

If you have ever stepped inside a 20th century home, it’s likely that you’ve come across popcorn ceilings. These types of ceilings gained popularity a few decades ago because of their cheap and easy installation. The old forms of this textured ceiling contained a chemical called asbestos, However, there are now many modern versions of popcorn textures with less of a bubbled look that contain asbestos-free products. To find out whether this textured ceiling is right for you, learn more about its characteristics, pros/cons, and how to create a popcorn texture for your ceiling. 

Glass Front Doors
| Updated July 14, 2022 | Published August 16, 2020

Glass front doors are an alternative to traditional wooden exterior doors that we see on most homes. Glass doors are widely used as patio doors in modern homes, but more and more homeowners are choosing them for their exterior doors. Due to the unique qualities of glass, it offers distinctive advantages and disadvantages for exterior doors, which I will mention a little later along with some great examples of glass types. You can then decide whether or not a glass front door is the right option for you.  

Stone Siding for Home Exteriors
| Updated July 13, 2022 | Published August 9, 2020

There is something truly authentic about stone houses that most of us love so much. So what better way to create the same look by adding a beautiful stone effect to your home’s exterior? The innovation in both natural and faux stone has come a long way to transform a home’s exterior from the ordinary into extraordinary.

Mansard roofs
| Updated December 17, 2023 | Published August 9, 2020

When it comes to a unique architectural design, a mansard roof is the type of roof design that stands out as an art. This stylish roof style came into existence from the 16th century but it wasn’t popularized in the US and Canada until the early 17th century. Today, many modern homes feature mansard roof extensions for efficiency and additional space.

Consequences of a Water Leak
| Updated December 18, 2023 | Published August 9, 2020

If you have unsightly water stains on your ceiling, a simple coat of paint will not address the issue as they may come back soon after. Even if it’s only a small stain, it could be a sign of a leak, which requires immediate attention. Water stains on ceiling, especially if they are yellow or darkish green, can result in mold growth, or even worse, ceiling damage.

Vaulted Ceiling
| Updated January 18, 2024 | Published August 9, 2020

If you’re on the hunt for an architectural ceiling design idea to add a dramatic look to your home, consider a vaulted ceiling. This type of high ceiling provides an open and airy feel that makes any room of the house look bigger. Know all the related facts about vaulted ceilings, their pros and cons, how to vault your attic ceiling, as well as some great examples with pictures.